Best of Gaming — 2025
- 1
- 2
TechCentral·28w
Valve’s Linux console takes aim at Microsoft’s gaming empire
Valve announced a new living-room console, controller, and VR headset running SteamOS (Linux-based) for early 2026, with pricing yet to be revealed. The Steam Machine aims to bring PC gaming to TVs with no Windows licensing costs, leveraging Proton compatibility improvements from Steam Deck. Success depends on competitive pricing against Sony's PS5 and Microsoft's Xbox, potentially disrupting the console market by offering Steam library access and Linux's open ecosystem advantages. The move could weaken Windows' dominance in gaming and establish Linux as a viable platform for mainstream console gaming.
- 3
SK NEXUS·1y
How Gaming Affects Mental Health
A personal account exploring both the positive and negative impacts of gaming on mental health. The author shares their experience of how gaming served as both a helpful escape and a potential trap, offering insights for maintaining healthy gaming habits and recognizing warning signs of excessive gaming behavior.
- 4
Hacker News·1y
Making Video Games in 2025 (without an engine)
The post discusses the advantages of creating video games without relying on large commercial engines like Unity and Unreal. It highlights personal experiences of using smaller frameworks and open-source libraries such as SDL3 for game development. The author prefers using C# for its performance, accessibility, and modern features, and stresses the importance of controlling the development stack for small indie teams. Tools for rendering, audio, and asset management are examined, with a nod to cross-platform capabilities and the transition to Linux for development.
- 5
Community Picks·1y
It's time to move to Linux
Microsoft's new feature, Recall, which records everything on your screen, has sparked privacy concerns among users. Despite Microsoft's assurance of privacy, past actions suggest it may become mandatory. Alternatives like Mac also have issues with choice and autonomy. With improving compatibility, gaming, and device support, Linux is becoming a viable option, even though it still has minor limitations.
- 6
Mental Outlaw·51w
Linux is Destroying Windows in Gaming Performance
Performance testing reveals Linux-based Steam OS consistently outperforms Windows 11 on identical handheld gaming hardware. The Legion Go S running Steam OS achieves higher frame rates in popular AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077 (59 vs 46 FPS) and Witcher 3 (76 vs 66 FPS), despite using Proton compatibility layer to run Windows games. Linux also delivers superior battery life, sometimes more than doubling gaming time compared to Windows. The performance advantage stems from Linux's reduced system overhead versus Windows 11's bloat, including resource-heavy components like React Native-based start menu and integrated ads/AI features.
- 7
bigboxSWE·47w
Linux Can't Stop Winning
Linux has gained significant mainstream adoption in 2025, particularly in gaming thanks to the Steam Deck and Proton compatibility layer. Governments worldwide are migrating from Windows to Linux for cost savings, data sovereignty, and security reasons. Modern Linux distributions have become much more user-friendly with official installers and better hardware support from major manufacturers.
- 8
Jeff Geerling·47w
You will own nothing and be happy (Stop Killing Games)
Digital ownership is under threat as companies increasingly tie products to cloud services and DRM systems. Modern appliances like dishwashers now require app connections and WiFi, while games are designed to expire when servers shut down. The Stop Killing Games initiative aims to preserve gaming by requiring companies to ensure purchased games remain playable after official support ends. Self-hosting and local ownership represent a pushback against the rental-based economy where consumers lose control over products they've purchased.
- 9
Collections·1yExploring Linux: PewDiePie's Journey and Why You Should Consider Switching
PewDiePie has switched from Windows to Linux, highlighting its customization, minimalism, and fewer disruptive prompts. He explores Arch Linux, tackles the learning curve, and acknowledges improved gaming compatibility. Linux offers freedom and personalization with robust community support.
- 10
The Best Desktop Linux For Windows Users
Windows 11's focus on AI features has degraded gaming performance by up to 65% for Nvidia users, prompting increased adoption of desktop Linux distributions. Zorin OS 18 attracted over 1 million downloads (78% from Windows users) with features like web app integration, Windows app compatibility via Wine, and suggested alternatives for Windows programs. Gaming-focused distributions like Bazzite and CachyOS now match or exceed Windows 11 performance out-of-the-box, while Microsoft's AI-generated code (30% of repos) and financial ties to OpenAI suggest the company won't reverse course on its agentic OS direction.
- 11
Game Maker's Toolkit·1y
How to find amazing game ideas
Mark, who released 'Mind Over Magnet' on Steam, shares his experiences and lessons learned about the indie game development process. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the production pipeline to avoid common pitfalls and speed up development. The post explores various sources for game ideas, including modifying existing games, exploiting genre conventions, and drawing inspiration from real-life experiences. Mark provides practical tips for generating game ideas and evaluating their potential before committing to development.
- 12Collections·1y
Creating a Simple MMO Game with Unity and SpacetimeDB
Learn how to build a simple MMO game using Unity, C#, and SpacetimeDB with this step-by-step tutorial. It covers setting up a Unity project, developing server-client architecture, implementing real-time multiplayer mechanics, and introducing competitive game features. Designed for beginners with some experience in Unity or C#.
- 13
Randy·1y
I made this game in 30 days
The post describes the author’s experience of developing a game in 30 days, detailing the challenges and progress made. The game involves collecting and selling resources, expanding land, and defending the base at night. It is compared to a mix of Fara and Factoria. The demo is currently playable online, and the author plans to sell the game in early access to fund further development.
- 14
80 LEVEL·41w
Classic Warcraft Vibes Return in a New Indie RTS
The Scouring is an indie real-time strategy game with action-RPG elements built on a custom C++ engine. It features destructible environments, day-night cycles that affect gameplay, and a unique mechanic allowing players to delegate army control to AI while focusing on hero character development. The game supports single-player and multiplayer modes with Steam Workshop integration for custom content creation. Currently in Early Access for $22.49, it's planned to remain in development for approximately 18 months.
- 15Collections·29w
Rising Viability of Linux Gaming as Nearly 90% of Windows Games Now Compatible
Linux gaming on Steam has crossed 3% market share for the first time, reaching 3.05% in October 2025—a 50% increase from the previous year. This growth is driven by improved compatibility layers like Proton (enabling 90% of Windows games to run on Linux), the popularity of Steam Deck (accounting for 27% of Linux gaming), and Windows 10's end of support pushing users toward alternatives. Popular distributions include Arch Linux, Linux Mint, CachyOS, and Bazzite, with new hardware like Lenovo's Legion Go S further expanding the ecosystem.
- 16
Game Designing·29w
The Future of Pixel Art in Games: Retro Style Meets Modern Tools
Pixel art continues to thrive in modern game development, driven primarily by indie developers who leverage it for budget efficiency and nostalgic appeal. Modern tools now enable artists to enhance classic pixel aesthetics with advanced effects like high-resolution layering, lighting systems, and physics-based sprites. The pixel game market is projected to grow 11.5% until 2031, as developers balance retro visual style with contemporary technology to create accessible, less computer-intensive games that appeal to both mobile and traditional gaming audiences.
- 17
I've waited my whole life for this
An indie game developer celebrates the release of their game 'Mind Over Magnet' on six major gaming consoles including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. The developer reflects on their gaming journey that started with the original Game Boy and credits Alchemy Games in Brazil for handling the entire porting and certification process across all platforms.
- 18
Ubisoft Blames Its Declining Revenue on Gamers Playing Fewer Games
Ubisoft's UK branch attributes declining revenue to changing player behavior, claiming gamers are playing fewer titles for longer periods. The company cites subscription services, live-service games, free-to-play models, and cloud streaming as factors disrupting the traditional £50-60 single-game sales model. With fewer planned releases and market unpredictability, Ubisoft Limited expects continued revenue decline in fiscal year 2026.
- 19
The Linux Experiment·23w
EU keeps moving to Open Source, New Linux smartphone, KDE fundraising - Linux Weekly news
France and Germany continue major migrations to open-source software, with French ministries moving hundreds of thousands of users to Nextcloud and Germany's Schleswig-Holstein saving €15 million annually by switching to LibreOffice. System76 released Cosmic desktop and Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS as a stable first version. KDE's fundraising exceeded €280,000, nearly doubling last year's total. A new Linux smartphone running Sailfish OS with Android app support reached crowdfunding goals. Critical infrastructure concerns emerged as libxml2 became unmaintained, and HDMI Forum continues blocking HDMI 2.1 support in open-source AMD drivers. D7VK 1.0 brings DirectX 7 translation to Vulkan for legacy gaming on Linux.
- 20
GamesIndustry.biz·33w
ESA: 48% of video game players are women
A global survey of 24,216 weekly gamers across 21 countries reveals that 48% of video game players worldwide are women, with women outnumbering men in 10 countries. Mobile devices are the preferred gaming platform at 55% overall, particularly among women at 64%. Players cite fun, stress relief, and mental stimulation as primary motivations, while 77% believe gaming improves creativity and 76% say it enhances problem-solving skills. Half of respondents report that gaming has directly contributed to their professional or educational development through technical or behavioral skills.
- 21
Irrational Exuberance·50w
My desk setup in 2025.
A detailed breakdown of a multi-device desk setup supporting 2-3 Mac laptops and a Windows gaming desktop through a single Thunderbolt connection. The setup features a CalDigit TS5 Plus dock as the central hub, Apple Studio Display, Beelink mini PC with external GPU, professional microphone, and various productivity accessories. The author emphasizes the importance of seamless device switching and cable management in creating an efficient workspace.
- 22
Juicy UI For Pixel Art-Style 4X Game Made With Godot
PLVS VLTRA is a turn-based 4X strategy game built with Godot featuring an economy dashboard that visualizes complex financial data through line graphs, pie charts, and detailed breakdowns. The game integrates UI design with gameplay mechanics, where the dashboard reflects player decisions made through a Laws & Policies system and Imperial Cabinet interactions. The project demonstrates how data visualization can serve as both an informational tool and strategic gameplay element in indie game development.
- 23
NVIDIA is full of shit
NVIDIA's RTX 50 series launch has been plagued by multiple issues including scalper bots, melting power connectors, defective chips missing processing units, and unstable drivers. The company continues using the problematic 12VHPWR connector despite known design flaws that can cause cables to melt under certain conditions. NVIDIA's marketing heavily relies on DLSS upscaling technology to achieve advertised performance numbers, with even flagship cards unable to run ray-traced games at native 4K resolution. The company has also been accused of pressuring tech reviewers to include specific metrics in their coverage and threatening to withdraw access for unfavorable reviews. With over 90% market share, NVIDIA's dominance has led to vendor lock-in through proprietary technologies while charging premium prices for incremental performance improvements.
- 24
Code Monkey·51w
Dev followed my FREE course, then made $150,000!
A game development instructor shares success stories of students who learned from his free Unity courses and went on to create profitable games. The main example is Urban Jungle, a cozy home decoration game that generated approximately $150,000 in revenue after the developer started as a complete beginner and followed a 10-hour Unity tutorial. The post highlights multiple success stories and promotes various free programming courses, emphasizing how beginners can learn game development through structured tutorials and reverse engineering existing code.
- 25
Open letter claims mobile gamedev is "ignored" because industry perceives it as a "world of predatory monetization and low quality"
Midjiwan AB CEO Christian Lövstedt published an open letter criticizing the gaming industry for overlooking mobile games despite representing 55% of the global gaming market. He argues mobile gaming is dismissed due to perceptions of predatory monetization and low quality, pointing to award bodies like BAFTA and D.I.C.E. rarely recognizing mobile titles. Lövstedt contends that industry awards and media shape cultural narratives and calls for acknowledging mobile as the largest and most creative gaming platform.
